Comments on: Fear 2.0, Web 2.0, and Study Abroad http://languagelabunleashed.org/2008/03/30/fear-20-web-20-and-study-abroad/ Language learning and technology for teachers and technologists, K-16 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:21:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Barbara http://languagelabunleashed.org/2008/03/30/fear-20-web-20-and-study-abroad/#comment-9343 Barbara Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:17:39 +0000 http://www.languagelabunleashed.org/2008/03/30/fear-20-web-20-and-study-abroad/#comment-9343 Thanks for your comment, Laura. Indeed, in MOST tech training sessions that 4th group rears its ugly head. I did not see or hear them here. I think that is because NITLE has the participants "screened" by being nominated by their NITLE reps at the local institutions. Which of course begs the question: do the NITLE reps send people to these events that already sing the gospel, or do they also try and send the "unwashed heathens" as well? I dunno. It was quiet at this event...pleasantly so in fact! Thanks for your comment, Laura. Indeed, in MOST tech training sessions that 4th group rears its ugly head. I did not see or hear them here. I think that is because NITLE has the participants “screened” by being nominated by their NITLE reps at the local institutions. Which of course begs the question: do the NITLE reps send people to these events that already sing the gospel, or do they also try and send the “unwashed heathens” as well? I dunno.

It was quiet at this event…pleasantly so in fact!

]]> By: Laura http://languagelabunleashed.org/2008/03/30/fear-20-web-20-and-study-abroad/#comment-9338 Laura Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:17:01 +0000 http://www.languagelabunleashed.org/2008/03/30/fear-20-web-20-and-study-abroad/#comment-9338 You've forgotten the 4th group--the hecklers/refuseniks. They've either a) been forced to attend by a supervisor or b) feel pressured by colleagues to attend (generally, they're not there of their own accord). These people often ask the questions that reveal that they think technology is the devil. They criticize technology that most of us now take for granted--email, for example. They ask about grammar or other nit-picky details rather than step back and look at the larger picture. My take on them is that they're actually terrified and rather than try, as your 2nd group does, to wrap their heads around the stuff, they resist mightily. Most of the time, I'm ready to just write those people off, but sadly, some of them hold positions of power and can therefore prevent forward progress. You’ve forgotten the 4th group–the hecklers/refuseniks. They’ve either a) been forced to attend by a supervisor or b) feel pressured by colleagues to attend (generally, they’re not there of their own accord). These people often ask the questions that reveal that they think technology is the devil. They criticize technology that most of us now take for granted–email, for example. They ask about grammar or other nit-picky details rather than step back and look at the larger picture. My take on them is that they’re actually terrified and rather than try, as your 2nd group does, to wrap their heads around the stuff, they resist mightily. Most of the time, I’m ready to just write those people off, but sadly, some of them hold positions of power and can therefore prevent forward progress.

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